Open house admission procedure for the admission of distributors for the openDesk ecosystem

The subject of the notice is the approval of companies as distributors for the openDesk ecosystem within an open approval system. openDesk is an open source office and collaboration suite. In a web-based environment, the suite bundles functions for document processing, file and knowledge management, e-mail, calendar, contacts, chat, video conferencing, project and task management as well as identity and access management.

The openDesk portfolio consists of software components from various component manufacturers and the openDesk integration layer. ZenDiS is responsible for the composition, development and packaging of the portfolio and sets quality, safety and interoperability standards. The approved distributors form the sales level between ZenDiS or the components of the openDesk portfolio and the downstream network of IT partners.

On the basis of the package configurations specified by ZenDiS, they assemble combinations of individual software components into bundles, use them to design time-limited subscription offers and distribute them via the IT partners integrated into their partner network. The distributor does not act directly towards end customers according to the intended distribution model. End customer sales and in particular setup, integration, operation and support are carried out by the integrated IT partners.

With the positive approval decision, the distributor agreement on the pre-published, uniform and non-negotiable terms is reached between ZenDiS and the applicant.

The Distributor Agreement regulates in particular the admission to the openDesk ecosystem, usage and sublicensing rights to the software components and the openDesk integration layer, access to the openDesk repositories and license keys, use of the designation "Official openDesk Distributor" and the obligations of the Distributor in the design and distribution of the bundles and subscriptions. The subject of the authorisation is the respective applicant as a distribution partner.

Technical testing or integration of an applicant’s software product shall not take place. The admission of component manufacturers to the openDesk portfolio is not covered by this proceeding. The method is designed as an open-house approval method. There is no comparative selection decision between the applicants. No evaluation, ranking or prioritisation of suitable applicants shall take place. Any applicant who fulfils all pre-disclosed conditions shall be admitted under the same conditions.

Increasing performance, experience or economic resources does not give rise to priority. The number of authorisations shall not be limited. ZenDiS does not provide exclusivity, territorial protection or protection against competition. The procedure is not a tendering procedure within the meaning of the Act against Restrictions of Competition, the Procurement Ordinance, the Procurement and Contract Rules for works or other procurement law regulations.

The purpose of the notice is to open up the authorisation system in a transparent, equal and non-discriminatory manner. It does not award a public contract or a concession. Applications for authorisation shall be examined separately for each applicant. The examination is carried out first in formal terms and then in content exclusively according to the standard "approval requirements met" or "approval requirements not met". The authorisation procedure shall be open continuously until 31 January 2027. Applications for authorisation may be submitted at any time within that period in accordance with the procedural documents.